Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala have announced a deal with Inter Milan for
Samuel Eto'o that will make the Cameroon striker the highest paid footballer
in the world.

Anzhi said Eto'o would undergo a medical exam on Wednesday, after which he will be awarded a three-year contract.

"Today an agreement was reached between the football clubs Anzhi and Inter for the transfer of Samuel Eto'o. The terms of the transfer fully suited both sides," a statement on Anzhi's website said.

While financial terms were not disclosed, reports in Italy say Eto'o will be paid 20 million euros net per season, eclipsing the estimated 12m euros that Cristiano Ronaldo earns at Real Madrid and the 10.5m euros that Lionel Messi is paid by Barcelona.

After a week of negotiations in Milan, the transfer fee was reportedly set between 25 and 27m euros.

According to Anzhi, Eto'o will join his new club on Thursday to prepare for a match against FC Rostov.

At 30, Eto'o is still in his prime, but he has already won three Champions League titles – two with Barcelona and one with Inter – and is apparently excited about playing in the developing Russian league.

In Forbes magazine's latest list of the world's richest people, Kerimov's net worth was estimated at $7.8 billion, in joint 118th place with Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi and family.

Anzhi's captain is 38-year-old Roberto Carlos, once the standout left back for Brazil.

Inter has been linked with Diego Forlan of Atletico Madrid, Ezequiel Lavezzi of Napoli or Carlos Tévez of Manchester City as a replacement for Eto'o. Inter's other forwards are Giampaolo Pazzini, Diego Milito and Goran Pandev.